Letting your taste buds wander through Tempe restaurants is not hard to do. There are so many eateries serving up fresh ingredients, unique bites, great cuts of meats (for all of us carnivores) and some darn tasty tacos.
The cocktail scene is filled with the usuals—beer, great wine, and oddly enough, Moscow Mules. Although I had several amazing Moscow Mules, I was still looking for a crazy inventive and unique cocktail. You know, either a bar or restaurant with a cocktail menu that pushed a bit past the norm.
I found just that at House of Tricks when the bartender poured me a Lavender Salty Dog.
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Vodka Cocktail Recipe REsearch
Now, House of Tricks is one of those special spots that should definitely be on your radar, whether you are staying in Tempe or not.
You will want to make the trip to town for a meal there. Make a reservation, especially on a weekend. The food is that good.
House of Tricks
The House of Tricks restaurant itself, or should I say, the massive front yard where most of the tables reside, is worth the stop alone. If you have any allergies, especially gluten intolerances, this is the place for you. Their menu is clearly labeled and the waiters are quick to pick up on food allergies and alert the kitchen so you can eat safely.
While the food menu was impressive, it was the cocktail menu that had me intrigued. Drinks like “Spring Chicken,” “Pachamama,” and “Purple Rain” were among the “Light N’ Refreshing” offerings. But at the top, was the “Lavender Dog.”
This not-so-simple spin on a classic salty dog cocktail recipe combined vodka and grapefruit juice with fennel and lavender; three rather bold flavors that could all take over.
How would they hold up together? I just had to know.
How to make A Lavender Dog
Surprisingly, it was fantastic. The tart, spicy and sweet flavors came together beautifully. I instantly knew this was what I was looking for. It worked in the desert environment and I had to bring it home to share.
The bartender was happy to supply the measurements, I tried it at home, made a tweak or two, and voila! Now you can enjoy it right along with me.
Lavender Salty Dog Recipe
- 2 oz Tito’s Vodka (you can use gin or vodka)
- ½ oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice (or grapefruit liquor)
- ½ oz Simple Syrup (or to taste)
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes of Fennel Bitters
- Lavender Sea Salt (see recipe below)
Lavender Salty Dog Instructions
- Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice cubes.
- Shake about 15 seconds.
- Wet a martini glass rim and dip in lavender sea salt (see recipe below) to create a salted rim
- Pour Lavender Dog into martini glass (alternately, you can use highball glasses).
Lavender Sea Salt
- Coarse Sea Salt
- Dried Lavender (make sure they are edible like this)
- Mortar and Pestle (we love this one)
Grind together two parts sea salt and one part dried lavender. Salt mixture is ready when the lavender is fine enough to be used as cocktail salt to create a salty rim of the glass.
Alternately, you can use gin instead of vodka. Gin and grapefruit always pair very well together. Give both a try to find your favorite combination.
Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Lavender Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
The tart, spicy and sweet flavors came together beautifully in this spin on a Salt Dog we found, and recreated, after a trip to Tempe, AZ. Don't be scared by the fennel bitters. It really balances the drink out, especially if you use a lavender salt rim, which you should!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tito’s Vodka (or your favorite vodka)
- ½ oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice (or grapefruit liquor)
- ½ oz Simple Syrup (or to taste)
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes of Fennel Bitters
- Lavender Sea Salt (muddle fresh lavender in sea salt)
Instructions
- Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice.
- Shake.
- Wet a martini glass rim and dip in lavender sea salt (see recipe below)
- Pour Lavender Dog into martini glass.
Notes
LAVENDER SEA SALT RECIPE
- Coarse Sea Salt
- Dried Lavender (make sure they are edible)
- Mortar and Pestle
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 582mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g
All nutritional information is estimated.
